Interesting Predicament

I am in a bit of a snaffoo if you will. I am the steadicam operator for a national show that travels around the US and my rig must travel with the production truck. I also work for a production company that will be shooting in Nashville on Sunday Sept. 21st 2008. I would use my rig but it the shoot will begin on sunday and run through thursday where I must have the rig across country on the day we finish shooting. I will fly out to my crew but the steadi must be there before myself.

My question is, does anyone know of any rental houses that carry an Ultra (or comparable too) in the Southeast (i.e. - Tenn, GA, North Carolina, etc.) without operator? In kind of a bind, so if you have any info, please let me know. THANKS!!

I don't know of an ultra in this area, just a broadcast master at a local film school here in Chattanooga.

Contact me if you need more info, and I can send you to the right guy. And I can tell you more about it.

Oh, there is a provid here too... he he... =)

My question is, does anyone know of any rental houses that carry an Ultra (or comparable too) in the Southeast (i.e. - Tenn, GA, North Carolina, etc.) without operator? In kind of a bind, so if you have any info, please let me know. THANKS!!

There use to be an Ultra with a private owner here in Atlanta. That's what I used before I got my U2. It's the prototype rig and is in far shape, not sure if he got it all fixed up for the last time I used it about 2 years ago. Biggest problem is that the rig stayed in New Jersey for football season for NFL films.

So it sounds like your double booked... could just pass along to a brother in that area. Got Jim Wells up that way and Byran down the street. About five of us in Atlanta.

If the rig doesn't work without you, why can't you just take it on the plane with you?

Good question...Its an operations thing. Since they pay for rental of the package for 4 months essentially, they want zero risk of the rig being lost or damaged. They know if it travels with them, there are no issues. Political mostly...but they pay for that luxury.

If the rig doesn't work without you, why can't you just take it on the plane with you?

Good question...Its an operations thing. Since they pay for rental of the package for 4 months essentially, they want zero risk of the rig being lost or damaged. They know if it travels with them, there are no issues. Political mostly...but they pay for that luxury.

Is it your rig they are renting? if so it travels with you when you want it too. It's another thing if you don't own the rig and they are renting it from a rental house.

If the rig doesn't work without you, why can't you just take it on the plane with you?

Good question...Its an operations thing. Since they pay for rental of the package for 4 months essentially, they want zero risk of the rig being lost or damaged. They know if it travels with them, there are no issues. Political mostly...but they pay for that luxury.

Is it your rig they are renting? if so it travels with you when you want it too. It's another thing if you don't own the rig and they are renting it from a rental house.

Their rig...he who has the gold makes the rules. It would not be an issue any other time during the year but during college football season, it stays on the production truck.

If the rig doesn't work without you, why can't you just take it on the plane with you?

Good question...Its an operations thing. Since they pay for rental of the package for 4 months essentially, they want zero risk of the rig being lost or damaged. They know if it travels with them, there are no issues. Political mostly...but they pay for that luxury.

Is it your rig they are renting? if so it travels with you when you want it too. It's another thing if you don't own the rig and they are renting it from a rental house.

Their rig...he who has the gold makes the rules. It would not be an issue any other time during the year but during college football season, it stays on the production truck.

Their rig...he who has the gold makes the rules. It would not be an issue any other time during the year but during college football season, it stays on the production truck.

I agree with my co-worker Erik and hope the rig stays with the truck. When College Football season is over, as always we will fax the rig out-- fix anything that might have broke-- and it will remain in Bristol until it is needed on another remote.

Just curious, if you feel this hasn't been an issue any other time of year, what other events have you used this gear for? If you could supply me with the dates, production titles and who gave you permission it would be greatly appreciated.

I am in a bit of a snaffoo if you will. I am the steadicam operator for a national show that travels around the US and my rig must travel with the production truck.

Their rig...he who has the gold makes the rules.

Just curious, if you feel this hasn't been an issue any other time of year, what other events have you used this gear for?

I think a better question would be, when did the lack of ethics fall in amongst the ranks of such a prestigious group? Really, to flat out lie to the people that could help you the best is not a good practice... period.

I received a call from the Tiffen factory to where an (different) operator that I didn't know was looking for a loaner rig, because his was actually loaned to someone else trying to help his friend out. I declined for a few reasons, because it was out of state for an operator that I don't know and have never met. It's a big decision to loan out your rig if your not already putting it out for rentals to others. But it's antics such as this situation that help lead to skepticism and distrust.

No I didn't own a rig when I first started, but did have one available to me for a reasonable rate, but never did I tell anyone that it was my rig. In fact, it was the one I actually spoke about which lived in Jersey most of the year.

A friend told me during lunch today, that one of the biggest gripes of producers he's had conversations with, was about people jumping from show to show trying to stay working in our region... the only thing they are working on is a reputation for jumping ship.

I really don't like the direction that our... and I repeat OUR industry is heading in. It's bad enough with producers pitting us against one another and people cutting rates just to get the jobs, but if we start lying to the next brother with the ability of lending a helpful hand, its going to be a hard road alone.